Question about application- MCAT and physics

[rgreens1]

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I am a junior in undergrad looking to apply to Osteopathic schools for 2013. I am a little late on everything because I recently made the decision to pursue this. I have not taken physics yet, but I realize that I need it soon because I need to take the MCAT! If I take physics 1 this spring, hopefully I can take physics 2 this summer and be done by July 5, 2012. I still need time to prepare for the MCAT, so I am assuming that the earliest I would be able to take it would be August 2012. Do you think that August is too late to be taking the MCAT? Is September completely out of the question? I would really like to get my applications in as soon as possible and I am worried that taking the MCAT late would set me back and lower my chances of acceptance. Thanks!

 

[DrWily]

I am a junior in undergrad looking to apply to Osteopathic schools for 2013. I am a little late on everything because I recently made the decision to pursue this. I have not taken physics yet, but I realize that I need it soon because I need to take the MCAT! If I take physics 1 this spring, hopefully I can take physics 2 this summer and be done by July 5, 2012. I still need time to prepare for the MCAT, so I am assuming that the earliest I would be able to take it would be August 2012. Do you think that August is too late to be taking the MCAT? Is September completely out of the question? I would really like to get my applications in as soon as possible and I am worried that taking the MCAT late would set me back and lower my chances of acceptance. Thanks!

Can't really say without some GPA numbers. Ideally it would be best to take it before you submit your application, but if your GPAs are decent, you won't be held back that much with an August MCAT. Prefer to step that up to at least May/June if you can.

 

[rgreens1]

My gpa is at about a 3.22 right now so I'm not very competitive, that's part of the reason I'm so worried. I'm really hesitant to take the mcat before physics 2 so I don't think I will be able to take it May/June.

 

[deleted357625]

My gpa is at about a 3.22 right now so I'm not very competitive, that's part of the reason I'm so worried. I'm really hesitant to take the mcat before physics 2 so I don't think I will be able to take it May/June.

Taking the mcat in August means you would only have a few weeks to study for the mcat since physics 2 would end during july. Also, scores would come out in Early Sept which makes you complete in Sept. Kinda late yea.

See I'm taking my MCAT in July, getting scores back beginning of Aug which isn't too bad

 

[DrWily]

My gpa is at about a 3.22 right now so I'm not very competitive, that's part of the reason I'm so worried. I'm really hesitant to take the mcat before physics 2 so I don't think I will be able to take it May/June.

I'd also recommend 2-3 months of MCAT study.. so you need to be studying for the other subjects while taking physics 2 which is do-able if you have the work ethic. You will need to do well on the MCAT if your GPA is below average (which it is).

Taking the August MCAT isn't going to break your application, but it will limit your choices as more schools will already be filling up class slots. Just do well on it.

 

[ksmajmudar]

I think only you know what you are capable of. If you are a good test taker, you will need less time for the MCAT. I studied for a little under a month and got above a 30. There are people that have studied even less than that, and have scored higher. Everyone is different - if test taking is a strength of yours, then you can budget less time to study for it.

p.s. my cGPA was 3.26 - get a good MCAT score and you'll be gravy

 

[rgreens1]

Thanks everyone, you've given me quite a bit to think about!

 

[rgreens1]

Another question: can I start the application process before taking the mcat? I realize that schools will not look at me until the mcats are in but can I start getting my app together before I get my mcat results, just to expedite the process seeing as I'll already be behind?

 

[DrWily]

Another question: can I start the application process before taking the mcat? I realize that schools will not look at me until the mcats are in but can I start getting my app together before I get my mcat results, just to expedite the process seeing as I'll already be behind?

yes, it is recommended because verification will take you a while if you don't get started early. Get all your transcripts and application submitting on June 1st and make sure that your LORs are into Interfolio (if you want to use it) around that time as well. Look at this years threads to get an idea of secondary essays because they don't change all that much year to year and get a jump on writing those as well. This will give you the best chance if you're taking the MCAT late.

 

[alexjeisenberg]

Another question: can I start the application process before taking the mcat? I realize that schools will not look at me until the mcats are in but can I start getting my app together before I get my mcat results, just to expedite the process seeing as I'll already be behind?

I took the August MCAT and I was fine. Although my GPA is a bit higher. I made sure to submit all my other materials (transcripts, Rec. Letters, etc.) much earlier. Many DO schools (WVSOM, LECOM, NOVA, to name a few) will give you access to their secondary applications before they even get your MCAT score. I would recommend filling those out and submitting as soon as you get them. The only draw back to all this is that you have to do it blind, without an MCAT score. So you may end up applying to schools where your not even competitive. But if you have the financial flexibility to do so I would recommend it, it worked for me. Best of luck.

 

[cck3]

Or another suggestion is just start studying for MCAT right away. I'm in a similar (or worse) situation - I haven't taken biology 2 and both semesters of Orgo yet, and I have a year and half left in my graduate school, and I plan on applying this upcoming cycle. So I already started studying for April MCAT because my lack of biology will take some time to be compensated while studying for graduate school classes. Just my 2 cent

 

[GenusTide]

Another question: can I start the application process before taking the mcat? I realize that schools will not look at me until the mcats are in but can I start getting my app together before I get my mcat results, just to expedite the process seeing as I'll already be behind?

YES!!!!! absolutely, just as the previous posters told you! I also took the August MCAT date. Like a total idiot I did not bother to ask this question and assumed you needed your MCAT score to apply, now I am sitting with a 3.8GPA, decent MCAT score but was not complete at most schools until mid October to early November. I went from being competitive to fighting for a seat . apply as soom as AACOM lets you!!!